Review: Detective Comics #1000
At long last; despite renumbering, despite changing up the schedule the 1000th issue of Detective Comics has hit the racks, to coincide with 80 years of the Batman.
The book, much like Action #1000, is a mammoth read. A heavy page count means heavy price. But for your $9.99 you do get a number of stories charting Batman’s past, present and future.
There are a plethora of names lined up for this book, each casting their own spin on the Dark Knight. The writer list alone is virtual who’s who including Scott Snyder, Peter J. Tomasi, Brian Michael Bendis, Warren Ellis, Tom King who are joined by luminaries such as Geoff Johns, Paul Dini, Kevin Smith and Dennis O’Neil. Separately, these people have shaped Bob Kane and Bill Finger’s creation, through the years, giving us both the Batman we need and the Batman we deserve. Is the list of writer complete? Hell no! I would have loved to have something by Chuck Dixon or Alan Grant or Doug Moench thrown in. We all have our favourite writers, mainly generated from when we first picked up our first comics. Each writer gets to play to their strength’s; Snyder for example is world building, Dini is off on another crazy Harley vibe. With the names on the list, you know what you are going to get, and for the most part, personal taste put to one side, they do what they do best.
Artist wise, it’s another A list run with Jim Lee, Greg Capullo, Tony S. Daniel, Joelle Jones and Doug Mahnke joined by Steve Epting, Kellley Jones, Andy Kubert, Alex Maleev, Dustin Nguyen and of course, for many the definitive Batman artist Neal Adams, who work still looks like it came straight from the 70’s with no major development since. As with the writers, there are others who could be included like Alan Davis, Graham Nolan, Klaus Jansen, Frank Miller and there are some whose passing has meant that there is a large vacant hole in the Batman universe such as Don Newton and the incomparable Jim Aparo and Norm Breyfogle. For those that are included, the art does feel a little hit and miss in places, there are times where it’s not quite working. Maybe its the juxtaposition between the various styles that is jarring to eye, giving the book an uneven, almost patchwork feel. Thrown in for good measure is a small pin-up section. The Jason Fabok one does show some unusual anatomy choices for Batgirl that is a little distracting.
Finally, the epilogue written by current Detective Comics writer Peter J. Tomasi with art by Doug Mahnke, joined by inker Jamie Mendoza, colors by David Baron and letters by Rob Leigh is a veritable Easter egg of Batman’s past, with a little nod to a certain video game thrown in. The main mission of the story, again like Action Comics, is to introduce the next big bad guy. Step forward the new Arkham Knight!
I have stated previously on The Definitive Crusade podcast mainly, my lack of understanding of the importance of this issue. Sure, 1000 sure sounds fancy and all that, but Batman did not show up till Detective Comics #27. Surely then, #1027 is the big issue? The other thing that struck me a tad funny, is that apart from Scott Snyder, no-one has given any love to any other the other characters that featured in Detective Comics. Go look it up! Back then, even up to the 80’s, Detective was an ensemble book. Where is their representation? Now, I realise that Bats is the big draw, but put that into context too; he is the big draw now. Detective Comics was almost cancelled twice in the past, almost losing its place to Batman Family (which the book morphed into) and back around #580 ish, just before Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle started their run.  My last point, yes, 1000 issues is great feat, but does the average comic book buyer really need 33 different covers ranging from $9:99? Pick and choose wisely.
With all that said, this book is a great starting point for the celebration of Batman’s 80th.
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
(W) Peter J. Tomasi, Brian Michael Bendis, Paul Dini, Warren Ellis, Geoff Johns, Tom King, Dennis O’Neil, Christopher Priest, Kevin Smith, Scott Snyder, Others (A) Doug Mahnke, Neal Adams, Greg Capullo, Tony S. Daniel, Steve Epting, Kelley Jones, Andy Kubert, Alex Maleev, Dustin Nguyen (CA) Scott Williams (A/CA) Jim Lee
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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